A fairly close shot of the exhaust from the side and rear angle should be enough to determine if it's stock or something else. Is the exhaust loud?
It sounds like I can assume your foam pods are going to be tossed? I'm guessing you'll buy some "Emgo" type, wire mesh pods? Just make a choice and stay with it because changing the pods later may mean changing the jetting again and that's just more work.
Sounds like you're ready to jet, I hope. Be sure those float levels are set to .94"/95". I still suggest rebuilding the carbs inner o-rings complete. Ten years of sitting guarantees the o-rings are hard and at least somewhat shrunk. I only suggest these things out of experience. Jetting can be difficult enough with good parts. Tearing things apart again and troubleshooting is a pain. Time is money.
I also suggest against using a fuel filter. They're unnecessary because the petcock screening takes care of that. If you have any rust, the tank should be repaired right. Be sure to clean the gas cap vent if you haven't yet. Be sure the petcock is operating right. You'll also want to remove the two floatbowl vent lines. Leave the ports open.
As for jetting, I'll need those pics. There's been a few members lately using pods and stock exhaust and I've tried to help, but they don't come back to say how my/our suggestions worked. I have an idea though of where to start. Pods and stock exhaust aren't a good match as I've said in other posts. The majority of my experience is with pods and quality pipes and other mods. You can still get pods and stock exhaust re-jetted right, but you can't expect things to be done the first try. We'll see.
I also don't have much info on where the jetting may be now and how the bike ran at that point. Were the plugs dark or ? when you removed them? Did you notice any heavy carbon build up/exhaust stains anywhere?
The most work with these carbs is adjusting the jet needles. Disturbing the needles requires a new bench synch too. As a rule of thumb, even the cheapest pod filters require the jet needle e-clip to be lowered at least one position, which will raise the jet needle one position. With your stock exhaust(?), it's possible one position will work but I'd guess 1 1/2 positions richer would be a better bet. A "1/2" position is achieved by using a jetting spacer directly on top of the e-clip. The spacer is approx' .022" thick and can be found at Radio Shack or most hardware stores or if you know someone with left over jet kit spacers of that approx' thickness.
If your jet needles are factory set, their e-clips are in the 3rd position from the top. So 1 1/2 positions richer would mean placing the e-clip in the bottom (if stock needles) 5th position and placing the jetting spacer directly on top the e-clip. This would be position 4 1/2. If you can't locate jetting spacers, you have the choice of trying the clip in the bottom position or the 4th position. I believe the bottom would be too rich though. As always, trial and eror. All you can do is test at solid 1/3 throttle position and that will tell you what the needles are doing. Be sure to re-install the two factory plastic jet needle spacers in the correct order. Thicker one goes on top the e-clip/any jetting spacer, thinner goes under the clip.
If you don't remember where the clips are at you can always try testing as is and see what happens. Do what the plugs/performance say.
As for mains and any pilot circuit changes, I'll wait to hear about the exhaust. It would also help a little to know if you're going to go with those Emgo type pods as I'm assuming right now. Some shops have a good main jet supply and will let you swap mains if you don't nick them up. Some don't.
I've been working late all week and I'll be working Saturday and then (weather permitting), going riding Sunday. But if you're starting the re-jet this weekend I'll try to check in to see that pic and give some help about the mains. You may have to order the main jets (or Robert Barrs o-ring kits?) and wait anyway? Just don't cut corners and try to hurry. Others here may help too.
I know all about being sentimental over a bike. That's how I am with my '791000E. I've had it since new and it's part of the family.
Check my profile and visit my website if you're interested. I've put a lot of work into my bike.
Talk to you later.
